Business & Reminders

Welcome guests. Review of agenda.

Stephen introducing the meeting

Approval of agenda.

Moved: Phil Carter Seconded: Dave Schlosberg CARRIED

Funding Opportunities – Mary Elizabeth reported on HRM Community Grants. There was not enough time to coordinate for this year but did speak with advisors and got some valuable guidance for future submissions. Not directly for capacity building but for projects, which could be used to develop organizational capacity. Project ideas include programs for youth or Seniors, possibly with purchase of supplies or equipment for delivery and future resource

Society of Canadian Woodworkers – offer insurance for groups and might be alternative to current providers. Ted Monk added that the SCW also has insurance available for individuals who do training or demos in home shop.

ACTION: Stephen will follow-up on options that might benefit AWA

Nametags – Trevor has made sample AWA member tags that will be available to members. Price to be confirmed (approx.. $7 each)

Newsletter – this months newsletter went out with new format. Feedback overall positive. Some discussion on whether newsletter should be made available to general public as promotional tool. One stated concern that sharing member projects on site or newsletter might leave it open to being copied.

ACTION: REMINDER to all members – if you do not want pictures of show and tell shared in newsletter OR on website, please advise when you present and your items will not be included in public forums.

LV Bird / Bee / Butterfly house project – Mary Elizabeth reviewed project for leading kids groups to build houses at Lee Valley for donation to local associations. Members signed for slots when they were available. Thanks to volunteers.

Presentation

Bill Howe gave us a fun and informative presentation on spokeshaves. He brought his impressive personal collection and shared some of the history and development of these versatile tools. He also provided us with some great tips about selection, care and use – and even gave us a chance to give spokeshaves a try under his guidance. Big thanks to Bill for his detailed session.

Part of Bill’s impressive collecion

Bill recommends shaving horse

Illustrating one of the blade settings

Dave gives it a try under Bill’s guidance

Bill gives Sheila some tips

Show and Share

Dave Schlosberg gave a short presentation about a table he had made which offered some challenges. He shared his processes, including a homemade steam system.

Dave’s table design made for some challenges

He created an improvised steam station to bend the legs

Closer view of the steam set-up

Responses to last month challenge to complete a UFL

Walt turned an unused mailbox into double bird houses after years of the mailbox sitting waiting to be revisited

Mike took out a project started some time ago after reading an article in a magazine and being inspired to trying his hand at hand carving with a new approach. He moved the project forward this month and is well on way to finishing

Phil completed a bench for his hallway to give people a place to take off and leave shoes. He used an old door frame in the construction and added upholstered seats.

Walt turned a mail box into a double bird house

Phil completed a hall bench as a place to remove and store shoes

Mike revisited an intricate hand carving he had designed

Other show and tell

Gary shared a bench he made with scraps and constructed in 4 pieces. Tip: wenge is not a good choice for plugs as it is too brittle

Tom showed a kitchen project to increase work surface – considered an island but decided to try a different approach

Darrell brought a project he completed for last month’s taper challenge – a simple design adjustable jig that locks in place with tapered jig that is tapped in with hammer. Made with drilled holes and fostner bits

Greg presented his candle holder made with raw edge

Gary designed a bench that he built in 4 sections – then decided to add a stretcher

Darrel created a traditional jig with a tapered lock

Greg created a candle & plant holder to experiment with live-edge

Other Business

Gary suggested road trip to Expressions of Wood in Fall River. Owner, Steve LeBlanc is not available in summer so tour needs to be this month – suggested Apr 22 or 29.

ACTION: Gary will confirm tour for Apr. 22 and distribute info through the mailing list.

50/50 Winner – Bob B. – (sorry – I didn’t record the amount won this month)

Next Meeting / Challenge

May 9. Presenter TBA

CHALLENGE: Something with a spokeshave — or if ambitious, try restoring or building a spokeshave

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